911 PATRIOT DAY
"Never Forget"
Today is Patriot Day. We remember the 2,996 lives lost and the heroes who emerged in the face of unimaginable tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001. The twin World Trade Towers in New York City were reduced to rubble, the Pentagon in Washington DC suffered an attack, and a hijacked plane, on its way to crash into the White House most likely, full of passengers and crew, went down in a Pennsylvania field, killing all on board.
May we honor their memories and the memory of that day by embracing the noble spirit of protection and service, compassion, resilience, and most of all, pride in this great country and all she stands for.
God bless America.
SPSO Det. Phillip "Koolaid" Cutrer, shown in the center surrounded by family, has announced he is running for Many Chief of Police.
Sabine Parish Sheriff's Office Detective Phillip "Koolaid" Cutrer has announced he will seek election as Many Chief of Police in next spring's election. He released his official statement to Observations last week as follows:
"Hello, City of Many Citizens. My name is Phillip ‘Koolaid’ Cutrer. I plan to gain your trust and your vote for Many Police Chief in the upcoming election. I have been a sworn peace officer since 2011, and I am currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division as a Detective for the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. I have worked in the Criminal Investigations Division since December 2022 in the capacity of a Detective investigating various types of crimes such as homicides, rapes, and burglaries, which led me to draft, obtain and execute search warrants on vehicles and residences. I worked for Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office at the Detention Center from November 2011, gaining the title of Sergeant while I was there. In 2015, I left the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and became employed at Many Police Dept. as a patrolman and later was named the sole Investigator for the department from 2015 to 2020. I attended the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Academy and have been a P.O.S.T. certified peace officer since 2017. During my time as a certified officer, I have attended several classes to update my training.
"In 2020, I came back to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and served as Many School S.R.O. for a short period, when I decided to take some time off. I came back to Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office in July 2022 and worked for Lt. Heard and the Patrol Division gaining the title of acting Sergeant and in December 2022, was promoted to Detective at the Criminal Investigations Division by Sheriff Mitchell.
"I have gained many certifications such as:
Sabine Parish Special Operations Group Team Leader, later named SOG Assistant Commander
Drone Pilot Certification
Public Safety Diver Certification
Swat School Certification
CVSA (Certified Voice Stress Analyzer)
2023 Homicide Conference to update my homicide investigation credentials
Supervisor and Leadership Certification, 2024
Tactical Leadership through NORSE Tactical, 2024
I have helped gain a Tactical Shoot-house Facility for Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office
Chemical O/C Pepper Spray Instructor
Grenadier Instructor
40MM Less Lethal Instructor
Chemical munitions Instructor
Assisted in coordinating a Swat 1 Course at Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office
Led and coordinated numerous missions while attached to Sabine Special Operations Group in which U.S. Marshal, FBI and ATF units were involved.
As you can tell from the above credentials, not only have I gained countless knowledge, but I have excelled and gained a leadership role in some fashion.
"As your Chief of Police, I will strive for the following:
Maintain a professional and well-trained department
Serve and Protect (not just write tickets on the highways)
Form outreach programs for community and youth (Breakfast with a Cop, Shop with a Cop, Toys for Tots, Battle House with Anna Kate Williams, etc.)
A true departmental Open Door policy
Influence officers to community police and have superior public relations
Create and maintain relationships with surrounding agencies
Work hand in hand with Superintendent of Schools Shane Wright and the Many School system
Create a superior administration
Maintain a working relationship with the court system and Judge Gentry
Attend all community functions such as Blooming on Main, Many Christmas Festival, Annual Alumni gathering, Autism Walk, Trash cleanup, Fair and Rodeo, numerous parades and many more.
I plan to bring Mr. Chris Abraham in as Many Police Asst. Chief with the City Council's approval. Abraham has an extensive background in law enforcement with 30+ years of experience. Chris knows personally what it takes to properly run and excel in running a Police Dept. We share the same beliefs in administering a successful department which benefits the City Hall administration and ultimately the citizens of Many.
"I am a proud father and am proud to call myself a Many Tiger. All my children attend Many Schools with exception of one, and he attends at Converse. When I moved to Many, I placed my family roots firmly in the ground calling it 'home.' I have met numerous citizens through my relationship with the late Chief Roger Freeman during my employment at Many Police Department. Chief Freeman is what I called 'The People's Chief.' He served the people of Many in a highly professional manner and taught me many things. I spent a lot of time with Roger Freeman and his family while working under his reign. I had lots of conversations about administration, leadership, control and the economics of Many Police Department with Chief Freeman. He spoke highly about 'The People of Many' referring to them as his people. During my employment at Many Police Department, Chief Freeman introduced me to some of the 'best' people in Sabine Parish and instilled in me the high value of always being 'FAIR.'
"I personally believe that Many, Louisiana is a flourishing community, rich with tourism and is deserving of a professional, community-engaged, and highly-trained Police Department. As your Chief of Police for Many, I will be committed to building upon and maintaining trust while we at the Many Police Department join with Many citizens to work towards a safer Many.
"Officers are responsible for everyone’s safety and at times must make split-second, life-changing decisions. I ask that the community join with officers to promote safety. Officers are encouraged to slow down decisions when it is safe and to always practice the principles of procedural justice including Voice, neutrality, respect and trust. Voice means listening to all sides of the situation, being neutral in decisions made, giving respect even if not received, and always displaying trustworthiness in doing the things you say you will do.
"The job of a police officer is extremely difficult, especially in encounters with persons in crisis whose actions may be unrecognizable to their own family and friends. I firmly believe in the sanctity of life, meaning every person, no matter what their circumstances, is highly valued and their life is sacred.
"Lastly, unity is being together or at one with someone or something. It’s the opposite of being divided. This is a word for togetherness or oneness. I will promote and demand unity with Many City Council members, community members and fellow law enforcement agencies. Being an existing Sheriff’s Office employee and having a great existing relationship with law enforcement officers around the parish, this feat will be easily obtained. Due to the Sheriff’s Office having so many resources readily available and highly-trained officers, this bridge of unity is paramount for a department to function at its highest potential. When a department functions at its highest potential, the citizens and officers will benefit greatly. The unity with the Sheriff’s Office will bring resources such as a superb narcotics unit, a top-notch criminal investigations division, and much more to benefit from.
"I look forward to building upon my existing relationships with the Many community and our department. Together, along with city leadership, the Many Police Department will be the model of success for surrounding communities and law enforcement professionals.
"Thanks in advance, Phillip ‘Koolaid’ Cutrer."
$500 REWARD OFFERED
This 2005 Suzuki Eiger Four-wheeler was recently stolen from my old home place in Bethany Community near Marthaville.
This dark pickup truck of interest entered my property twice on Wednesday, Aug. 28. It came once before dark, shown above, and again some seven hours later, shown below.
A reward of $500.00 is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who stole a 2005 Suzuki ATV Four-Wheeler from my old home place in the Bethany Community near Marthaville. A black (dark-colored) pickup truck of interest was photographed turning into my property at 5:07 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, and again at 12:17 a.m. that night. The house and two outbuildings were broken into. The ATV is a Suzuki Eiger, and the color is green. It has an aftermarket horizontal light bar attached to the front rack as is partly shown in the personal photo above.
Any source who may share information will be kept strictly confidential. If you have information, please call
SABINE PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Detective Don Flores
(318) 256-9241
or
NATCHITOCHES PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Captain Glen Sers
(318) 238-3134
Longtime Sabine Parish District Attorney Don Burkett has been selected for induction into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame. He is the longest serving District Attorney in the state.
Congratulation to Sabine District Attorney Don Burkett who will be inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield early next year. Board Member Gregg Davies called Don last week and gave him the good news.
He holds the honorable distinction of being the longest serving District Attorney in Louisiana and the elected official with the most tenure in Sabine Parish. He was first elected District Attorney in 1984 and is currently in his 40th year.
In addition, Don is a member of the Louisiana Judicial Hall of Fame. He has been actively involved in the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association, having served as president and member of the board of directors. He has also served and been appointed to various law
enforcement board and commissions, including years of service on the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission.
Don and his wife, Virginia, live in Many and are the parents of Caleb Burkett and Stephen Van Sickle.
As this week's Observations is published online, people across Louisiana, in Southeast Texas and West Mississippi are watching Tropical Storm Francine, expected to hit the Louisiana coast as a Category 1 hurricane about 7 p.m. Wednesday evening.
According to latest reports, the storm will bring high winds and lots of rainfall across Louisiana as it makes its way north into Arkansas and Mississippi. It is expected Louisiana will get 15-20 hours of rainfall in the most affected areas resulting in the potential for flash floods, depending on where bands of rain develop. It is not believed at this time that the storm will stall. As of press deadline, the storm's projected path and rate of speed showed it moving out of Louisiana by Thursday at about noon.
We hope all remain safe from the storm, and the dead trees we have often seen along highways and power lines do not fall and wreak havoc.
From left, BOM’s Aaron Savell, Raegan Cunningham, Brittany Barton, and Mary Hooper recently graduated from the Louisiana Bankers Association’s Leadership School. This BOM banking staff represents locations in Natchitoches, Caddo and Bossier parishes. They attended the program once a month for five months and also completed online course work and assigned readings in between sessions. Congrats to all!
Observations received a report that Cleco is closely monitoring and preparing for Tropical Storm Francine. In addition to Cleco personnel, the company has secured 1,700 additional contractor resources.
“Based on the current track of Tropical Storm Francine, we’re working to increase our contractor resources. This includes line mechanics and vegetation specialists who are equipped to work on our transmission and distribution systems,” said Clint Robichaux, director of distribution operations and reliability. “We will continue to look at the intensity and path of the storm to adjust the number of workers needed to safely and efficiently clear debris, repair system damage and restore power to our customers.”
Cleco also encourages customers to prepare for Tropical Storm Francine.
“Now is the time to prepare, especially our customers in south Louisiana,” said Robichaux. “Experience has taught us that preparation can save lives and lessen damage, so we remind our customers to make preparations.”
Safety tips to follow before, during and after a storm:
Have flashlights, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
Make a list of important phone numbers and family contact numbers.
Make sure cell phones and other devices are fully charged.
Plan for medical or special needs.
Operate portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas and plug appliances directly into generators with grounded extension cords. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
Assume all downed power lines are live and stay away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 1-800-622-6537 and 911.
If water is rising, turn off electricity at the main breaker, evacuate and stay away until waters have completely receded.
The August sales tax report has been released by Wanda Rivers, Administrator for the Sabine Parish Sales/Use Tax Commission. The report showed that collections were down by $272,804.57 from August 2023. Total collections in August 2023 amounted to $2,604,574.22
compared to $2,331,789.65 this August. The report showed collections down for all taxing bodies except the Sabine Tourist Commission.
J. J. Blake, President of Community Bank of Louisiana in Many, recently made plans for the bank to participate in Many's big Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19, with a Chili Cook Off to benefit the Pink Sisters of Sabine. Only ten competing teams will be accepted, and prizes include $350 cash and trophies for the top three winners. Registration forms with complete rules and requirements are available at Community Bank at 540 San Antonio Ave. in Many or at Many City Hall at 965 San Antonio Ave. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Oct. 16, and the entry fee is $25 per team. All proceeds will be donated to the Pink Sisters of Sabine in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Pink Sisters will also sell "Taste Every Chili" tickets to the public for $5 each. Wristband tickets will be available for sale shortly. The public may contact any Pink Sister to buy tickets or call (318) 508-1438 or (318) 332-7873.
The Many Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Festival Square (across the street from City Hall) and will feature a kids' carnival, food trucks, arts and crafts, painting, popcorn, cotton candy, face painting, games, a jump house and much more. The event is scheduled to run from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
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